Situated along the shores of Canandaigua Lake, Bristol Harbor is in the heart of the Finger Lakes wine country. Robert Trent Jones designed the golf course in 1972. The layout practically offers two courses with a front nine that showcases lakefront views and a back nine that plays through the forest. The front nine is also composed of links-style holes as opposed to the tighter holes on the back nine. The golf course plays longer than the 6,662 yards indicated on the scorecard thanks to a variety of different challenges. There are plenty of bunkers strategically placed along the greens and be prepared for some tricky uphill shots. The signature hole is the par-4 14th. This scenic hole is set in a deep gorge within the Bristol Hills, creating a dramatic drop in elevation from the fairway to the green.

"Excellent course"

Course was in great shape. Fairways excellent as were the greens. Greens are difficult. Fast but fair. Difficult to read due to contour changes. Back nine much more challenging. Very scenic as well. Some beautiful holes. Hadn't played this course in years and forgot what a pleasure it was to play, though I didn't personally play well. Clubhouse is fantastic as was the staff.

"Bristol Harbour"

"Bristol Harbour"

First time playingUsed cartPlayed 18 holesExcellent weather

Reviewed on 09/21/2016

Five stars across the board for this course. Staff were very friendly, course was in excellent shape and a layout that made you play a variety of shots. It really is a tale of two nines here, the front is more open, while the back nine takes you out into the woods, all while going up and down through the hills. I really can't say enough good things about BH, and I will definitely return if the opportunity arises.

"Course great / Pace slow"

The course was in excellent shape and the lay out is very challenging from the back tees. The pace was great until hole 13 (picture included), which is one the prettiest holes I've ever played, but it caused a four group back up when there was none before that. The backups never stopped for the rest of the round. It was a great day overall.

"Great course"

"Great course"

First time playingUsed cartPlayed 18 holesExcellent weather

Reviewed on 08/03/2016

This course has a ton of elevation change. Number six, 14 and fifteen are great holes. I played late in the day with an overcast sky so perfect golf weather. Course was in great condition. Pro shop staff was great, got a great deal. This course is worth the drive from Rochester.

Pace of Play:
Excellent

Course Layout:
Excellent

Course Conditions:
Good

Staff Friendliness:
Excellent

Value for the Money:
Excellent

Off-Course Amenities:
Average

Course Difficulty: Moderate

I recommend this course

FEATURED REVIEW

"Nice public course"

"Nice public course"

Previously playedVerified Purchaser

Reviewed on 07/31/2016

Last time Played this course 2 years ago . Course seems little bit of of out of shape with weeds everywhere . Fairway Sand bunkers not enough sand. However they have whole new flight of electric golf carts with gps system the one similar to ravenwood golf club has. Another thing I do not see is pro shop is gone replaced with a little eat in restaurant . The golf check in counter is a joke (just a little podium) . I heard the golf course are bought and run by different ownership in January 2016. Overall the course is good not the best. I like the layout and greens .the rate is little pricey. If they lower the price . It is definitely one of the golf course we will play again

"A scenic tour of Canadaigua Lake"

"A scenic tour of Canadaigua Lake"

First time playingPaired up at courseUsed cartPlayed 18 holesGood weather

Reviewed on 09/08/2014

Playing Bristol Harbour brought up an interesting conversation during my tour of courses in greater Rochester: Would you rather play a course kept in better condition or a more interesting course that's a little roughed up in spots? My choice is the latter. I'd choose Bristol Harbour, despite its inconsistencies in conditioning, over several other courses I played. It's got such a nice setting on Canadaigua Lake (even though you rarely glimpse the lake). I love how Robert Trent Jones Sr. used the land. The front nine plays as a wide-open warm-up to the narrower, tree-lined back nine. The back-to-back par 5s on the front nine provide great contrast. It's easy to score well on the downhill sixth and so tough to climb the uphill seventh. A lot of golfers dislike no. 14, where a 200-yard layup to the corner of the dogleg left sets up a blind approach down a steep fairway to a sunken green. No. 15, a daunting par 3 over a creek, plays even tougher. The final three par 4s finish in style with excellent variety - a sweeping dogleg at no. 16, an uphill trek at no. 17 and a pond near the green on no. 18.

"Great time"

Great course! Setting beautiful. Grounds were great! Room good. Food choices limited! Weather warm for September. Staff were great! Did a 3 day package. Group of 12!! Usually we go down to Ocean City MD. But came here instead in 2013. Will do the same in 2014 too!!

Pace of Play:
Good

Course Conditions:
Excellent

Staff Friendliness:
Good

Value for the Money:
Good

Quality of food & beverage:
Average

Off-Course Amenities:
Good

Course Difficulty: Somewhat Challenging

I recommend this course

FEATURED REVIEW

"Great Course - Great Atmosphere"

"Great Course - Great Atmosphere"

Previously played

Reviewed on 09/12/2013

This is one of my favorite courses and I make sure to get out and play it at least once a year. It is set on a hillside overlooking the lake. The clubhouse and proshop are wonderful and the staff is friendly.

The golf course is tough if you don't hit it straight. The front 9 is wide open and the back has more trees but the fescue grass makes you pay for arrant shots. There is also plenty of water and the greens slick and have a lot breaks if you are not tight to the hole.

My only complaint here is that the course is inconsistently maintained. The greens show signs of dollar spot occasionally and the fairways develop dead spots where water puddles from poor drainage.

Pace of Play:
Average

Course Conditions:
Excellent

Staff Friendliness:
Average

Value for the Money:
Average

Course Difficulty: Extremely Challenging

I recommend this course

FEATURED REVIEW

"Nice course. Challenging with some especially tough holes."

"Nice course. Challenging with some especially tough holes."

Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 10/04/2012

Good course. Front nine is very open, lots of traps, not many trees. Significant elevation change so need to add/subtract a club length on many holes. Back nine is the opposite, narrow, goes through the forest on every hole. Especially on back nine there are some challenging holes, with some being tough to play for the first time as they are quirky, two with huge elevation change on second shot. Three holes have tee shot that needs to back off to a 3 or 5 wood. Try to play with a local. All greens were very fast, and many with lots of slope. Putting is tough.

Pace of Play:
Average

Course Conditions:
Average

Staff Friendliness:
Average

Value for the Money:
Excellent

Course Difficulty: Moderate

I recommend this course

FEATURED REVIEW

"Great layout and excellent condition"

"Great layout and excellent condition"

Verified Purchaser

Reviewed on 09/26/2012

A great course, but a little difficult getting started. After the Pro shop I went out to get a cart and there was no one there. I went and asked someone cleaning a cart and they said to get, I forgot his name. After 5 minutes the guy showed up and gave me a cart that had not yet been cleaned.<br/>
Nice GPS on the cart but does not work on the entire course. The back nine you're on your own for a couple of holes. I assume because of the hills and trees, but the layout more than made up for the GPS missing on a couple of holes.